Lazy "Sunday"

Today was a lazy day at the Guild Hall. All was quiet in the realm, and there were no quests pending. As such, I took this time to retreat to the crafting chambers and create a card for one of the mechanics at the Wagon & Carriage Repair Stall, whose nameday I had somehow missed. 

This card I started by creating the background using some white paper from my scrap bin and green and blue Dylusions spray inks in conjunction with a stencil. I set that aside to dry while I stamped The Greeting Farm’s “Sunday” and coloured him with Prismacolors. I used a scrap of paper I had left from when I made these recipe books as an accent. The sentiment I stamped using the Dylusions “Say What You Mean” set. After distressing the edges of the paper, I added some thread and “screw” brads to finish off the front. 

On the inside I used another little scrap of that patterned paper, earning me +593 waste-not-want-not exp points. The sentiment was stamped using the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set. 

I stamped the envelope using the Jenni Bowlin “Harlequin” stamp to make it match the pattern on the card.

This checkered card will be entered into the following challenges:

TGF: Garden Variety Tuesday Blue and Green Color Challenge

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #101: Scrap Attack

4 Crafty Chicks: Birthday, Birthday, Birthday

Simply Create Too Challenge #37: Anything Goes

The Corrosive Challenge #174: My Sentiments Exactly

Paper Playtime Challenge #10: Buttons or Brads

Creative Craft Challenges2 #10: Just Checking

Simon Says Stamp and Show: A Little Paper

I enjoy lazy days, however it always seems that with one lazy day you must pay for it with a hectic day following. I’m already tallying the chores and tasks that must be completed tomorrow and am dreading it....so much for my relaxing Sunday.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Embossing Bliss

Greetings traveller. Welcome to the Crafters Guild. You’ll notice that we’ve decorated the Guild Hall with hundreds of white flowers in preparation for a marriage festival tonight. Shila, one of the villagers who runs the Ink ‘n Die store is being wed today and she wanted to have the celebration here, as we were her best customers. I was happy to oblige. Shila has always been good to the Crafters Guild, her inks keeping us from dying on numerous crafty quests.

As there was no image to colour, this card actually went together rather quickly (compared to most), which was good, because I had to get it done on short notice, one of the salesmen at the Wagon and Carriage stall needing it in a day's time. I started by cutting out the flowers in different sizes using the Art Philosophy cartridge. 

Before stacking them all together and attaching them with little black brads, I embossed them all using the trusty ‘ol Swiss Dots folder. I then chose some shiny white paper (ooooo shiny), and embossed it as well, leaving a strip in the middle unembossed for me to stamp the sentiment on. I used the Lawn Fawn “Sophie’s Sentiments” set for this task. I then added a black ribbon and bow and called it a day (for the front anyways).

On the inside, I used that white cut that was in my “bits box”, having cut it accidently too big when I was making this card. (You will also notice the similarity in design between the two). It always gives me +444 happiness exp points when I get to use stuff from my “bits box”. I cut it a black shadow and BLAM, glued it on the inside. I then stamped the sentiment using Lawn Fawn’s “Sophie’s Sentiments”. 

To keep it elegant, I simply embossed the envelope instead of stamping it with something, that wouldn’t really match the card.  

This card will toss its bouquet in the following challenges:

Love to Create Challenge #65: Flowers, Flowers, So Many Pretty Flowers

There She Goes Challenge #207: Moving On

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge #52: May Flowers

Simon Says Stamp: Flower Power

The Corrosive Challenge #174: My Sentiments Exactly

Paper Playtime Challenge #10: Buttons or Brads

The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge #60: It’s Natural

One Crazy Stamper May Flowers Challenge

Catch the Bug: Bugaboo Bingo Challenge (brad, diecut, ribbon)

The wedding feast was a wonderful event, Shila looking beautiful in her flowing white gown. She presented us with a crate of her latest inks as a thank you for hosting the event. Having acquired a new crafty item, I was of course ecstatic and couldn’t wait to test out her new inks.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Admission to W.I.T.

Today I had my long awaited test for admission to the Wizards' Institute of Technocery to become a licensed magic user. The exam was a test of wits, requiring you to select the correct spell and successfully cast it to pass the obstacles presented. The first test was a spinning double bladed Cricut Hook. As it magically moved towards me, it started spinning faster and faster, its deadly blades singing as they cut through the air. I quickly cast a simple levitation spell to get out of the way as it passed harmlessly underneath me. Three more tests followed, each requiring me to think quickly or be killed. 

This card was created for the Just Some Lines “Anything Goes” challenge that is happening now! Simply use any Just Some Lines image to create something and you can win some Just Some Lines digis - easy!

I started this card by colouring Emo Graduate Amber using my Prismacolors. This was my first attempt at colouring “pleats” and I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it did earn me +70 pleaty exp points. After she was done, I created the “chalkboard” background inspired by my mini chalkboard at home. I used some leftover scraps from when I made this card to assemble the chalkboard. I then cut out the books using the Create-a-Critter 2 cartridge. I went a little crazy with the hot glue while adhering the paper clips...I seriously need to invest in a smaller glue gun, but I refuse to until I’ve used up all my “big glue” for the one I have. Lol....cuz I’m cheap like that.

On the inside I used the Imaginisce “U Rule” stamp. I then added the congrats from the Lawn Fawn “Sophie’s Sentiments” set. 

Things got a little out of hand again on the envelope which I attacked with the Dylusions “Bordering on the Edge” set. The alphabet border, just screamed “school” to me and I was unable to resist its charms.

This scholarly creation will be top of its class in the following challenges:

Pile It On Challenge #19: For a Teen

There She Goes Challenge #207: Moving On

Cupcake Craft Challenge #242: Lots of Layers

Friends of SpeedyTV Challenge #72: Inspired By Something In Your Home

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #101: Scrap Attack

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #160: Congratulations Graduate

Crafts and Me Challenge #133: Use a Digi

DRS Designs Challenge #70: conGRADulations

Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #9: Anything Goes

After completing the four challenges, I was admitted into the Wizards' Institute of Technocery! This would be a great asset to the Crafters Guild as we would now have another institution which could offer us assistance on our crafty quests. 

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

Search For The Dæmon

Today a raven arrived from Castle Cambric from my lord father. His feline dæmon companion, Sasha had been missing for six nights. It was not unusual for her to take off for long periods at a time, but she has never been gone for longer than a couple of days. Even though I despised that creature, I agreed to help in the search. I geared up, and me and my direwolf set out to find the blasted animal.

I made this card for my lord father, using his feline dæmon, (known to the commoners as a Siamese Cat) Sasha as inspiration. I cut the card base using the Mini Monster cartridge. Instead of the eyes that come with the cut, I decided to use some of my precious googley eyes (two different sizes of course). The number I cut using the Birthday Bash cartridge. I then used my trusty Cuttlebug and embossed the cat’s stomach piece and the numbers and punctuation before gluing them all together. Since Sasha is a little bit of a diva, I added a rhinestone necklace, earning me +429 bling-bling exp points.

The inside was stamped using My Creative Time’s “Wow! So Many Candles” set, My Pink Stamper’s “Family & Friends” set and the Lawn Fawn “On the Mend” set.  

This kitty-kat will be prowling into the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs: Animal Antics

Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday Shape Up!

Friends of SpeedyTV Challenge #72: Inspired by Something in Your Home

Cuttlebug Mania: You are purrrrrrrrfect Challenge

Divas By Design: Shape it Up

4 Crafty Chicks: Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!

Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge #20: Anything Goes

The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge #60: It’s Natural

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #39: Use A Number

My direwolf Lycan’s superior sense of smell, combined with a few tracking spells lead us to the feline. It seemed she had bitten off more than she could chew, so to speak, and landed herself in some trouble. We found her deep within the Carnivorous Caverns, held prisoner by a band of oversized rodent tribesman. Lycan’s sharp teeth and my blade made short work of the disgusting vermin and rescued Sasha from certain death. Although my lord father was elated to have her back, she spared not a shred of gratitude towards me. Cats.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

A Wonderful White Affair

Today was a grand occasion as we celebrated my grandmother’s 90th nameday. There was a wonderful gathering at the Guild Hall, with family coming from distant lands for this milestone day. My cousin, Guild Mercenary Kimmy, had hired a couple jesters who put on a rousing show for all the attendees. The feast prepared by our house gnomes was the biggest I had ever seen.

I designed this card for Creative Card Crew’s “White on White” challenge that is happening now! This fortnight we are sponsored by Marianne Design who are offering a lovely prize to the winner.

 

I started this card by cutting the background “doily” thingy using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I cut a separate square so I could emboss that part without embossing the swirly edges of the design and just glue it over the original square. I used some white ribbon from my stash that I have approximately 15.8 rolls of, having bought them for wedding invites and never ended up using them. Always happy when I get to use some of that ribbon up, which earns me +6918 ecstatic exp points. The “90” I also cut with Art Philosophy using an off-white paper so it would stand out a little against the stark white background. I also embossed that with my trusty Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder. Finally some glitter in the dots finished off the front.

 On the inside I stamped the sentiments using a Close to My Heart set and the My Pink Stamper “Birthday Crazy” set. I also added the swirly corner things using the Inkadinkado "Decorative Corners" set as I felt they matched the front of the card. 

I stamped the same swirly corners on the envelope to make it match the card.

This white card will be gleaming in the following challenges:

Penny’s Challenge #126: Diecuts and/or Punches

Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #159: Use Glitter

Love to Scrap! Challenge #5: Anything Goes

Simply Create Too Challenge #37: Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody #20: Anything Goes

Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #9: Anything Goes

After everyone had eaten their fill, taken in the entertainment and my grandmother had opened her gifts, it was time for everyone to depart. I saw everyone off as they climbed into their carriages, mounted their horses (or in one cousin’s case, bordered his flying machine) and headed back to their home lands. My grandmother was pleased with the celebration and that the whole family could be together to celebrate her 90th nameday.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

The Lady of Castle Cambric

Good evening crafty travellers. Tonight we had a lovely visit from our lady mother as we celebrated Mother’s Day here in the realm. She arrived in her ornate carriage pulled by four white stallions, adorned in just as much finery as she was wearing. Her skirts (which she had no doubt made herself) swished and sparkled as she crossed the grounds to the Guild Hall. “Girls,” she said simply, nodding her head at the Lady Command of Copics and I.   

I started this shabby/chic card by stamping the envelope twice using the Unity “Scripted Envelope” stamp. I cut them both out, cutting the “flap” off one of them. This allowed me to glue them together making an opening. I stamped the postcard using the Lawn Fawn “You’ve Got Mail” set and distressed the edges with my blade of +50 shreddiness. I placed the postcard in the opening I created with the envelope image and adhered it down. The background paper I printed off my computer from an image I found on Free Vintage Digital Stamps. I added some pink crinkle ribbon and a bow. I decided it still looked a little plain so grabbed a couple safety pins out of my vast collection and hot glued those down, earning me +193 unconventional exp points.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment and butterfly using the Unity “With Sympathy” set. I used the remainder of the background paper on the inside.

On the envelope I used the Lawn Fawn “You’ve Got Mail” set to make the mail marks and postage stamp. Instead of the traditional blue and red, I stamped them in brown and pink to match the card.

This vintage creation will make a fashionable appearance in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Challenge: Use a Sentiment

Divas By Design: Anything Goes

Cardz TV Challenge #29: There’s No Other Like My Mother

Try It On Tuesday: Feminine and Fancy

Milk Coffee: Shabby Chic/Vintage Challenge

Our dinner went well, and my lady mother left to return to Castle Cambric. Tomorrow is a new crafty day, where we will embark on a new quest.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~

King of Cups

Today there was a mysterious visitor in the village. We received a raven carrying a message from one of the innkeepers who was concerned this new arrival was practicing black magic. The Lady Commander and I suited up and headed to the village to investigate. Upon arriving we saw a small midnight blue tent covered in glittering stars that was not there before. Throwing caution to the wind, I entered the tent, keeping my hand on the hilt of my sword. Seated at a small table was a creature, its face covered with a veil. “Come in, Guild Massssssster,” the creature hissed. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

As I had no idea what tarot symbols were, I had to do some research before starting this crafty quest. I chose to make the King of Cups, as I had this wonderful frog head already watercoloured with Distress Markers and sitting in my “bits box”, just waiting for a project. He was stamped using the Dylusions “Pondering Petunia” set. I stamped the hand from the Dylusions “Traveling Travis” set and coloured it green to match the frog. The frog’s...umm...”body” I created using a shape from the Dylusions “Doodle Parts” set and was also watercoloured with Distress Markers. This surprisingly earned me +204 necromancy exp points. 

I made the background with a spritz of Dylusions spray ink and then stamped the cup from the Lawn Fawn “My Cup of Tea” set. I liked the background, but knew most of it was going to be covered up, so I had to take a picture of it separately :)

This ATC will be reading fortunes in the following challenges:

Wicked Wednesday Challenge #83: Tarot Symbols

Creative Craft Challenges2: All About Animals

Simply Create Too Challenge #37: Anything Goes

Spark Your Creativity Now! Challenge #9: Anything Goes

The creature, whose face was still obscured, began dealing cards, flipping them over one at a time. “Thisssssss doesn’t bode well for you, Guild Massssster,” it hissed, looking up at me. “King of Cupsssssss......cups sssssspilling over with blood!!” 
I drew my sword, just as the creature flung off its veil, revealing an amphibious head underneath. The Lady Commander of Copics, let loose a paralyzing spells, stopping the creature dead in its tracks.

“What say you, sister? Shall we dispense of this charlatan?” I asked the Lady Commander, glancing over my shoulder.

“I wonder what colour its blood will be,” she replied.

I took that as affirmation and swung my great sword, removing the frog’s head in one strike.

Blue...its blood was blue. Gross.

~ Guild Master Crystal ~